WSJ: The megamerger between Publicis and Omnicom was announced one month ago. How have you began preparing WPP for this new rival?

Mr. Sorrell: Our basic response is: more of the same and faster…We have access with our associates and investments, to over $23 billion of revenue, so we aren’t lacking resources, even in relation to the new Publicis Omnicom Group. That and our 170,000 people in 110 countries give us all the requisite resources and revenue streams that we need.

WSJ: Will WPP continue to make acquisitions at the same pace as in the past?

Mr. Sorrell: The announcement [of the merger] has caused a lot of confusion among clients and people. Maybe partly because it has been the summer, but there has been a vacuum about what the benefits are, neither clients nor people know what they are… There is a lot of concern.

WSJ: What about the opportunity to hire new talent?

Mr. Sorrell: The phone is ringing off the hook on the people side because there is so much uncertainty.

(Publicis and Omnicom in the past have said that the reaction from clients to the merger was positive. A Publicis spokeswoman declined to comment further on Mr. Sorrell’s comments about clients’ or employees’ reaction to the deal. Omnicom was not immediately available for comment.)

WSJ: High growth markets are key to your future yet there has been a slowdown in markets such as China. Is this a concern?

Mr. Sorrell: We will still be the leader in fast growth markets even after the Publicis-Omnicom merger. The slowdown there is relative. The growth rates there will still be better and our clients continue to invest in capacity and brand where in mature markets they reduce or restrict capacity.